(Surrey) Regiment: Personal Papers of Members of the Regiment, 1794-2007

SURREY HISTORY SERVICE SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL

130 GOLDSWORTH ROAD, WOKING

ESR/25 THE EAST SURREY REGIMENT, FORMERLY THE 31ST (HUNTINGDONSHIRE) REGIMENT AND 70TH (SURREY) REGIMENT: PERSONAL PAPERS OF MEMBERS OF THE REGIMENT, 1794-2007

Provenance

Originally presented by the Queen's Royal Surrey Regimental Association and Museum, Clandon Park, in November 2003. Personal papers of soldiers who served in the regiment have accrued since that date. The preparation of this catalogue was funded by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Arrangement

The papers are arranged alphabetically by surname of soldier.

Related records

For records of the East Surrey Regiment and its predecessors, 1702-2003, see ESR/-, the catalogue of which includes a detailed introduction to the history of the regiment and its constituent battalions.

Access conditions

There are no access restrictions.

ESR/25 THE EAST SURREY REGIMENT, FORMERLY THE 31ST (HUNTINGDONSHIRE) REGIMENT AND 70TH (SURREY) REGIMENT: PERSONAL PAPERS OF MEMBERS OF THE REGIMENT, 1794-2005

ESR/25/PACK/ PACK, SERGEANT MARTIN, 1846

Born in Northampton, c.1806. Attested at Northampton, 18[?24]. Served with 31st Huntingdonshire Regiment. Discharged, 18[?46].

1 Discharge certificate (writing badly faded) 1846

ESR/25/PAGE/ PAGE, COLOUR SERGEANT J, 1897-1903

Served with 3rd Volunteer Battalion.

1 Scrapbook, '3 East Surrey Volunteer Battalion, 1897-1903 1896-1903', compiled by Page: newspaper cuttings relating to shooting competitions in which he was involved. 3 loose photographs inserted

ESR/25/PALM/ PALMER, CORPORAL J, MID 20TH CENT

Served with [?East Surrey Regiment].

1 Photograph of Palmer and an unidentified nd [?mid 20th soldier in Athens cent]

ESR/25/PARD/ PARDOE, PRIVATE LESLIE WILFRED, 1942-1946

Served with 2nd Battalion during World War II. Awarded the Military Medal.

1 Newspaper cutting concerning Pardoe nd [c.1942] receiving the Military Medal, c.1942, and -1 Oct 1946 letter inviting him to an investiture at Buckingham Palace, 1946, in a card frame with note '2 Surreys we have his medal'

ESR/25/PARKAC/ PARKER, CADET PRIVATE ALFRED CLEMENT, 1915

Born, c.1900. Enrolled in Richmond Hill Cadets (6th Battalion, the East Surrey Regiment), 1914. Discharged, 1915.

1 Discharge certificate 1915

ESR/25/PARKGH/ PARKES, GEORGE H (C.1883-?), 1939

Born, c.1883. Enlisted, 1900. Served with 2nd Battalion. Discharged, 1908.

1 Account by Parkes of his service with the 1939 Battalion, with related correspondence

ESR/25/PAUL/ PAUL, CAPTAIN BRYAN (1897-1916), 1916

Born, 1897. Served with 8th (Service) Battalion. Killed in action, 1916.

1 Photograph of Paul, with biographical nd [c.1916] information and page references to mentions of him in the Regimental History on reverse

ESR/25/PAYN/ PAYNE, CAPTAIN HAROLD F, 1940-1945

Trained in 18 Platoon, R Company, 164th Officer Cadet Training Unit. Served with 1st Battalion. Wounded in the North African campaign, repatriated and discharged.

1 File of training notes taken whilst with 164th Jul 1940 OCTU, regarding organisation and -Sep 1940 administration, weapons training and field engineering

2 File of training notes, regarding tactics, map Jul 1940 reading and gas warfare -Sep 1940

3 Syllabus, notebook and exercises from Small 25 Nov 1940 Arms School, run by NRA Wing -13 Dec 1940

4 A Guide to the Interpretation of German Units nd [?1940] drawn and printed by 519 (Corps. Fd. Svy.) Company, RE

5 Training notes from course in maintenance of 11 Feb 1941 wheeled vehicles -15 Mar 1941

6 Appendix to Battalion Intelligence Summary nd [c.1942] No 18, a hand drawn map of Tunisia, showing the British line and advance of 8th Army

7 Letters to Payne from members of the 4 May 1943 Battalion serving in North Africa and Italy -14 Sep 1945 after he was wounded, including letter from commanding officer Colonel W Wilberforce, 4 May 1943, killed two days later. Arranged by writer, with index giving the name of each correspondent, his position in the Battalion and dates of his letters to Payne

8 Press cuttings relating to 1st Battalion actions 1943-1945

ESR/25/PEARCS/ PEARCE, CAPTAIN C S, 1914-1918

Served with 8th (Service) Battalion during World War I.

1 Photograph of Pearce nd [?1914- 1918]

ESR/25/PEARWH/ PEARCE, PRIVATE WILLIAM HENRY, 1920

Served with 8th (Service) Battalion during World War I. Killed in action, 1918.

1 Letter to Pearce's widow enclosing the nd [c.1920] campaign medals that would have been conferred on him had he lived

ESR/25/PEARS/ PEARSE, COLONEL H, 1917

Served with 2nd Battalion.

1 Account by Pearse of his time at Salonika, nd [c.1917] Dec 1915-Jun 1917

ESR/25/PENR/ PENROSE, PRIVATE ERNIE N, 1940

Served with 1st Battalion during World War II.

1 Letters to Penrose from his fiancée. 15 items 7 Mar 1940 -9 May 1940

2 Letters to Penrose from friends, including one 12 Feb 1940 in French. 8 items. With 3 envelopes -2 Apr 1940 addressed to Penrose.

ESR/25/PIGGG/ PIGGOTT, GEORGE (1867-?), 1887-1899

Born in Westminster, 1867. Enlisted at Kingston, 1887. Served with 2nd Battalion, 1887-1888. Served with 1st Battalion, 1888-1894. Discharged, 1899.

1 Photocopies of attestation form, statement of (1887-1899) services and medical records [TNA reference: WO97/3655/HN03923]. Also photocopies of a photograph of Piggott, with notes regarding his career

ESR/25/PIGGK/ PIGGOTT, PRIVATE K, 1945-1946

Served with 2nd Battalion in Palestine.

1 Copies (undated) of photograph taken by (1945) Piggott of group of soldiers during 10 weeks of Corps training at Cavalry Barracks, Canterbury

2 Copies (undated) of photographs, taken by (1946) Piggott, of members of B Company, at Haifa. 4 items

3 Photographs of terrorist activity, Haifa. 2 1946 items.

4 Copies (undated) of photographs, taken by (1946) Piggott, of army camp and armoured personnel carriers, at Haifa. 3 items

5 Copies (undated) of photographs, taken by (1946) Piggott, of Sergeant Bascomb, officers and sergeants taking around tea to soldiers on Christmas Day, two soldiers leaning on a 6 pounder gun and a group of soldiers in an armoured personnel carrier. 4 items

6 Copy (undated) of photograph, taken by (1946) Piggott, of a terrorist attack on an oil refinery at Haifa

ESR/25/PRAT/ PRATT, PRIVATE ALBERT JOHN (C.1896-?), 1915-1918

Born, c.1896. Enlisted at Kingston on Thames, 1915. Served with 11th Battalion. Later gunner in the Royal Garrison Artillery. Discharged, 1917.

1 'Soldier's Small Book', giving details of next 1915 of kin (pages 5 and 6 missing, and some damage to centre of remaining pages)

2 Letter from Pratt to his father 12 Nov 1916

3 Field service postcard sent by Pratt to his 19 Jun 1917 mother

4 Postcard to Pratt's mother from No 18 General 1 Jul 1917 Hospital, France, informing her that her son has left for England

5 Metropolitan Police Telephone message from 2 Jul 1917 City of London Military Hospital to Mrs Pratt, informing her that her son has arrived at the hospital

6 Wallet containing character certificate, with 26 Nov 1917 advice regarding civilian employment and instructions for men of the army reserve

7 Discharge certificate 26 Nov 1917

8 Pass to proceed home and await final 4 Dec 1917 discharge

9 Receipt for War Badge 10 Dec 1917

10 Postcards with greeting messages, one 1917 showing regimental badge and battle honours. 3 items

11 Pay book 1917

12 Certificate of registration under the National 18 Mar 1918 Registration Acts

13 Newspaper cutting of a photograph of soldiers nd [?1915- marching though a town with horse drawn 1918] guns

14 Photographs of Pratt alone, with his [?family], nd [?1915- and of a group of soldiers [?including Pratt]. 9 1918] items

ESR/25/PREN/ PRENTICE, WARRANT OFFICER 2ND CLASS B L, 1907-1919

Served with 1st and 2nd Battalions and with the Machine Gun Corps.

1 Photocopy of third class certificate of (20 Jul 1907) education

2 Photocopy of second class certificate of (16 Oct 1909) education

3 Photocopy of certificate that Prentice was (1 Mar 1919) mentioned in despatches on 29 Mar 1917

4 Photocopy of certificate of service with the (nd [c.1919]) Machine Gun Corps during World War I

ESR/25/PRES/ PRESS, PRIVATE R, 1914

Enlisted, 1910. Served with 1st Battalion during World War I and was wounded Sep 1914. Served with Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry during World War II.

1 Diary recording his experiences with the 5 Aug 1914 British Expeditionary Force in France, 5 Aug -24 Sep 1914 1914-24 Sep 1914, with note on his army career, nd [late 20th cent]

ESR/25/RAE/ RAE, LIEUTENANT JAMES A, 1867

Served with 70th Regiment of Foot, and later as Lieutenant Colonel of the Cinque Ports Artillery Volunteers.

1 Photograph of Rae in the uniform of the 1867 Cinque Ports Artillery Volunteers

ESR/25/RALS/ RALSTON, MAJOR GENERAL WILLIAM HENRY, 1870S

Served with 70th Regiment of Foot which he commanded 1880-1885. 8

1 Photographs of Ralston nd [?1870s]

ESR/25/RAMS/ RAMSEY, SERGEANT F A W, 1914-1918

Served with the East Surrey Regiment.

1 1 shilling bank note issued by the military nd [c.1914 authorities to the British forces in North -1918] Africa, with envelope stating that a cap badge was also donated (not present)

ESR/25/RAYN/ RAYNER, PRIVATE STANLEY CHARLES JOHN, 1939-LATE 20TH CENT

Served as a dispatch rider in 2/6th Battalion. Captured by Germans, 1940. Liberated by American army, 1945. Discharged, c.1946.

1 Road Discipline and Traffic Control, booklet 1939 issued by GHQ

2 Orders for Drivers of Mechanical Vehicles in 1940 the British Expeditionary Force, booklet issued by GHQ

3 Christmas card sent as prisoner of war 1943

4 'Tips for the Troops' giving advice regarding nd [?1940] conduct and conditions in France

5 Typed note 'to an unknown French or English nd [?1940- friend' from J J de Ridder, Holland (some 1945] French text)

6 Poems written by Rayner, 1950-1991 (some of 1950-1991 which are the same as those in -/8), including one written for the Queen in honour of her 65th Birthday, with letter of thanks from Buckingham Palace, 1991. Also score and words for song by Rayner relating to the Falkland Islands

7 Poems by Rayner, concerning World War II 1982-1986 and the Falklands War, with covering letter from Rayner to Major Hill

8 Account by Rayner of his service in France, nd [before 1940, with a selection of poems by Rayner, 1987] 1950-1987

9 Account by Rayner of his experiences as a nd [before prisoner of war in Germany, his liberation by 1993] American soldiers, and his return to England, 1940-1947

10 Account by Rayner of his journey to Torun as nd [late 20th a prisoner of war, 1940 cent]

ESR/25/READ/ READE, SERGEANT VINCENT FORESTER, 1914-1917

Served with 4th Battalion during World War I.

1 Photocopies (undated) of letters from Reade to (1914-1917) his sister Connie, while stationed at Saltash, Cornwall, and postcard showing him in his fencing outfit

ESR/25/REDF/ REDFERN, LIEUTENANT A J, 1940-1942

Commanded no. 7 platoon, A Company, 2/6th Battalion. Awarded Military Cross, 1940. Later served with the Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own).

1 Transcript (undated) and draft of report by 1940-(1942) Redfern on the actions for which he was awarded the Military Cross, 3 Jun 1940-7 Jun 1940, with original and photocopy of citation for award, including issue of London Gazette in which he is mentioned and photocopy of further citation (mentioned in dispatches), 1942. Also operational message with note on reverse by Redfern regarding an incident with a French officer

ESR/25/REE/ REED, PRIVATE STANLEY MIDDLETON, 1915

Presented by Stanley Reed's son, Mr Dennis Reed, in July 2008.

1 Digital copy of photograph of Stanley Reed (1915) who served with the 9th Battalion. Mr Reed is in the front row on far right.

2 Typed memoirs of Stanley Reed as 2008 remembered by his son, including the order to walk back to the trenches when retreating; 'if you ran, you were accused of cowardice'

ESR/25/RICH/ RICHARDSON, LANCE SERGEANT CHARLES VICTOR LESLIE, 1916

Served with 8th (Service) Battalion. Killed in action during the attack on Montauban (the Football Charge), on the 1st day of the Somme, 1 Jul 1916.

1 Letter of condolence to Richardson's mother 3 Sep 1916 from Capt C Thorne, Officer Commanding B Company, with transcript ESR/25/RID/ RIDDY, PRIVATE ERIC A, (1940-1991)

Born in 1920. Served with 1st Battalion during World War II. Was a German prisoner of war. Died in 2001.

1 Photocopies (undated) of service papers from (1940-1991) the National Archives, including enlistment papers (including Territorial Army record of service), casualty card and service and casualty forms, statement of services,

2 Digital copy (2009) of photograph of 1st (nd [1940]) Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. Private Riddy is in the middle row, fourth from the left. Location unknown

3 Digital copy (2009) of photograph of 1st (c.Sep 1940) Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. Private Riddy is in the back row, 3rd from left. Location unknown

4 Digital copy (2009) of photograph of Private (1943) Riddy (on left) with colleague. Possibly taken in Sicily, Aug-Sep 1943, or Tunis, North Africa, Jun-Aug 1943

ESR/25/RIDG/ RIDGER, CAPTAIN J, 1940

Served with the East Surrey Regiment.

1 Officer's identity card issued to the British 1940 Expeditionary Force (writing badly faded)

ESR/25/RING/ RINGWOOD, CORPORAL ALFRED (C.1879-1952), 1905-1967

Born in Gibraltar, c.1879. Enlisted at Kingston on Thames, 1897. Served with 2nd Battalion, including in South African War. Transferred to reserve, 1905. Joined Metropolitan Police Force, 1906. Discharged from the army reserve, 1909. Enlisted in Section D of the reserve, 1910. Discharged, 1914. Retired from the Metropolitan Police Force, 1931. Returned to Police Force, 1939. Died, 1952.

1 Character testimony written by Major W 5 Sep 1905 Gilbert Cooper, Commanding Officer of F Company, 2nd Battalion

2 Discharge certificate, including character 5 Oct 1909 statement and details of service and training. -1910 Also note that Ringwood enlisted into Section D of the reserve, 1910

3 Certificate of discharge from Section D of the 7 Feb 1914 reserve

4 Certificate of service with the Metropolitan 14 Apr 1931 Police

5 Letter to Ringwood from New Scotland Yard, Aug 1939 asking him to report for duty in light of the current emergency

6 Correspondence related to Ringwood's 12 Jan 1948 pension from the Metropolitan Police Force -15 Mar 1967 and to changes to this pension following his death and that of his wife. Also letter regarding the Metropolitan Police Widows Fund. 10 items

7 Advertisement for Jolly Bucks Lodge of the nd [?mid 20th Independent Order of Odd Fellows, cent] Manchester Unity, held at the Black Horse Tavern, Camden Town. Ringwood's name is pencilled in

8 Letter to Ringwood's [?wife] from Whittington 17 Mar 1952 Hospital informing her that he has died

9 Letters of sympathy to Mrs Ringwood on her Mar 1952 husband's death from Hart Leverton & Co, solicitors, and Douglas Kershaw & Co, auctioneers

10 Card [?label] with 'Mr Ringwood' inscribed in nd [?late 20th red cent]

ESR/25/RITCF/ RITCHIE, LANCE CORPORAL FRANK, 1915-1916

Enlisted, c.1914. Served with 7th Battalion during World War I. Awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal, 1916.

See below for papers of Ritchie's brother, Lance Corporal H C Ritchie.

1 Page from a newspaper showing officers and 29 Jul 1916 soldiers who have received awards for gallantry, including Ritchie for the Distinguished Conduct Medal

2 Photograph of Ritchie with his brother Private nd [?1915- S Ritchie, Royal Army Medical Corps 1916]

ESR/25/RITCHC/ RITCHIE, LANCE CORPORAL HERBERT CHARLES (?-1915), 1914-1915

Enlisted, c.1914. Served with 7th Battalion. Killed in action, 1915.

See above for papers of Ritchie's brother, Lance Corporal F Ritchie.

1 Photographs of Ritchie. 2 items nd [?1914- 1915]

2 Letter of sympathy signed by Kitchener, with nd [c.1915] short obituary of Lance Corporal H C Ritchie attached with sellotape

ESR/25/ROBEI/ ROBERTS, COLOUR SERGEANT I, 1856-1874

Served with Light Company of 31st Huntingdonshire Regiment. Joined Shropshire Militia, 1867.

1 Log of events and the issue of items of 6 Nov 1856 uniform etc to the company, while in -24 Sep 1874 Gibraltar, Cape of Good Hope, India, Hong Kong, England, and Ireland. Entries 6 Nov 1856-c.Jun 1867 relate to service with 31st Regiment. Entries after 1868 become much less frequent.

ESR/25/ROBEOH/ ROBERTS, [?PRIVATE] O H S, 1914-1918

Served with 21st (County of London) Battalion, the London Regiment (1st Surrey Rifles) in World War I.

1 Bible with 'O H S Roberts 1st Surrey Rifles nd [?1914- 1914-1915' inscribed on the back. Also prayer 1915] for Christmas intercession and inserted note 'Many Happy returns of the 22nd from Mother and Father' and 'To Marmie in memory of Laddie', with letter to 'Marmie' from 'Little Mother', sending her the Bible

2 Photograph of a group of officers from nd [?1914- different regiments 1918]

3 Field service postcard sent by Roberts to C M 29 Mar 1915 C Gibbons, Southall

4 Correspondence regarding the origin of the 29 Jun 1994 items (little information regarding Roberts) -15 Aug 1994

ESR/25/ROLP/ ROLPH, CORPORAL H E, LATE 20TH CENT

Served as a signaller in 1st Battalion, World War II.

1 Account by Rolph of his experiences during nd [late 20th World War II cent]

ESR/25/ROOD/ ROOD, CORPORAL JOE STANLEY, 1999

Served with 1st Battalion, 1927-1942.

1 Account of a search by Rood's son to find a nd [c.1999] French family that sheltered his father during World War II

ESR/25/ROUP/ ROUPELL, BRIGADIER GEORGE ROWLAND PATRICK (1892-1974), 1916-1992 14

Born, 1892. Served with 1st Battalion and was awarded Victoria Cross for actions in defence of Hill 60, Ypres, Apr 1915. Served as a General Staff Officer at 3rd Army Headquarters. Was on board the SS Queen, when it was captured and sunk, 1916. Commanded 1st Battalion, 1935-39. Last Colonel of the Regiment prior to amalgamation with the Queen's. Died, 1974.

1 Typescript copies (undated) of an extract from (1916)-1992 Roupell's diary regarding his experiences of the capture and sinking of the SS Queen. 2 copies with covering note

2 Photograph album, 'My trip to Khartoum, 1938 Sudan, Egypt' compiled by an unknown woman [?Mrs Roupell]: views and inhabitants of Khartoum and Egypt, including the Omdurman and Khartoum Girl Guides and the [1st Battalion], East Surreys, on parade. Donated by Brigadier Roupell

3 Photograph of marriage of Captain G Roupell nd [?1930s] to Miss [?Maria] Cuties, some names given

4 Photographs of Roupell. 2 items nd [?1930s- 1950s]

5 Photograph of Brigadier Roupell visiting the nd [?1950s] dining hall at Shorncliffe

6 Original and photocopy of Roupell's obituary Mar 1974

7 Annotated photocopy of an extract from the (1981)-1984 chapter entitled 'A tale of two rivers: Marne and Aisne' in The Mons Star by David Ascoli which includes extracts from Roupell's diary, with covering letter